City announces plan to turn theme park into public park

MONROE, Ohio — An Ohio amusement park once home to roller coasters such as The Beast and the Screechin’ Eagle is finding new life as a public park.

The city of Monroe recently unveiled the details behind its $10-million plan to turn part of Americana Amusement Park into Monroe Bicentennial Commons.

Director of Development Kevin Chesar told the Cincinnati Enquirer the city will pay “historical homage” to the site. Plans include using the amusement park’s lake for recreation, turning seating for the old sky ride into park benches and possibly creating a museum dedicated to the amusement park’s history.

There are also plans for an amphitheatre, bicycle trails, a bird sanctuary and an interactive fountain.

Old items from the amusement park such as log flumes and go-karts will be used for planters and playground equipment.

Construction on the new park will be a multi-year process, according to Chesar. Part of the funding will come from the city’s 0.5 per cent income tax increase.

Americana Amusement Park originally opened in 1922 as a campground under the name LeSourdsville Lake. Rides and other attractions were added, and the name was formally changed in 1977.

The park was updated several times in an attempt to draw more visitors, but it eventually closed in 2002.

Butler Tech bought the grounds in 2017 and plans to build its sixth campus on part of the site.